Clonakilty seek breakthrough in county semi‑final against Nemo Rangers

Clonakilty will try to end a series of narrow defeats when they face reigning champions Nemo Rangers in tonight’s county semi‑final.

The West Cork club has repeatedly come close to beating the “big three” of Cork football – Nemo Rangers, St Finbarr’s (the Barrs) and Castlehaven – but has fallen short on numerous occasions. Recent near‑misses include a one‑point loss to Nemo in the 2023 quarter‑final, a penalty shoot‑out defeat to Nemo in 2024, and an extra‑time league final loss to the Barrs in 2025.

Clonakilty’s forward Conor Daly reflected on the club’s history of tight games, noting that while they have not been “hammered out the gate,” they often lose in the final minutes. Daly, who made his debut as an 18‑year‑old sub in the 2021 county final, said the team is “delighted to be back in a semi‑final” and believes the squad’s core remains largely unchanged, with a few emerging players such as Dylan Harrington.

If Clonakilty can convert their consistency into a win, it would mark their first final appearance in five years and potentially break the dominance of the traditional powerhouses.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Omar Ramadan / Pexels.